Ideas to do the 5 Ways: Connect

Below are some ideas to help you fill out your online action plan.

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• Smile, make eye contact, say hello to people.
• Ask others “how their day is going” and listen with an open heart and mind.
• Spend time getting to know people at work, Uni or around your neighbourhood a bit more.
• Make eating meals a social time rather eating alone at your desk or with the TV.
• Go for a talk and walk with friends or family.
• Try phoning, skyping or talking in person instead of emailing or text messages.
• Join a group or a club in your local area – so many to choose from!
• Get involved at your child’s school events, committees and clubs.
• Organise a family get together.
• Be in the lives of people you care about; be there at birthdays or other events that matters to them.
• Do a course offered through a network of public-funded 'Neighbourhood/Community Houses'.
• Turn your computer or phone off for a day – discover a new way of connecting!
• Go to a football, soccer or netball game to experience the power social connection on a large scale – Go the PIES!

Ideas to do the 5 Ways: Be Active

Below are some ideas to help you fill out your online action plan.

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• Go for a walk at lunchtime.
• Get off the bus or train a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
• Dance your way to fun and fitness! Dance to your favourite music or take it one step further and sign up for a dance class or a course. Hip Hop, Latin, Zumba or Go-Go! Find your grove and move!
• Go for a bike ride or better still do the great Victorian bike ride
• Take the stairs instead of the lift.
• Go for a run or better still, join a local running club or sign up for a park run.
• Leave the car at home and walk or bike it to the shops.
• Stretch your limbs in the morning, midday and evening or do strengths training with weights at a gym.
• Go for a swim, do some gardening, try rowing or Tai Chi.
• Walk to see friends instead of driving.
• Do Pilates, yoga or take up a sport you enjoy.
• Go along to a 'come and try a sport event' in your local area to find out what you enjoy and do it regularly

Ideas to do the 5 Ways: Keep Learning

Below are some ideas to help you fill out your online action plan.

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• Discover something new or Re-discover a past interest...such as cooking or painting
• Research something you've wondered about such as your family history, or another country.
• Learn how to fix a bike or how to ride one. Take your learning one step further and learn about the different bike paths you can use in your local area!
• Try a new recipe or a new style of cooking.
• Explore new places, art and craft markets, parks, zoos, museums or gardens to visit.
• Try a different route home and learn new street names as you go!
• Read a book, join a book club or go along to free talks and other educational activities at your local library.
• Listen to ABC or SBS news and topical programs on radio, social media or TV.
• Use a conversation as a way to learn new things, be curious in the company of others.
• Learn a new word or words to a new song.
• Learn a poem or an inspirational quote.
• Learn something new about yourself or a friend.

Ideas to do the 5 Ways: Be Aware

Below are some ideas to help you fill out your online action plan.

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• Take notice of the changing seasons; see the different colours of leaves, sky or what is changing in your garden.
• Take a different, more beautiful route to or from school.
• Be more aware of how you are feeling at different times of the day and the different sights, sounds and smells around you.
• Reflect on your strengths; what are you grateful for? There is always something.
• Take notice of what you are thinking, without judgement, be aware and let the thoughts pass.
• Really savour every mouthful of your lunch, notice the texture, flavour, how the food feels, and tastes.
• Think about who inspires you and why.
• Notice your neighbours and people around you.
• Notice wild flowers and where they grow.

Ideas to do the 5 Ways: Help Others

Below are some ideas to help you fill out your online action plan.

Simply click on an idea to copy it to your clipboard and then paste it into a question.

• Smile and be willing to give your time to a conversation, or check up on a friend by email, phone or better still in person.
• Give unwanted items to a local charity shop
• Say thank you to someone who has helped you.
• Donate your time to do something for someone else; help out a neighbour; carry shopping or offer to baby-sit. Help to keep your neighbourhood clean by reducing waste.
• Offer to help your parents or people you live with round the house. Help out at a local fete or event.
• Bake a cake and give it to someone or do some volunteer work at a 'Community Neighbourhood House'
• Nominate someone for an award
• Give some food to a food bank or join a group to raise money for a charity
• Give someone a hug or help an elderly neighbour take out their rubbish bins each week for garbage collection.
• Be a mentor for someone or a good role model for your kids.